Method and device for actively assisting a motor vehicle driver in a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

In a method and device for actively assisting a vehicle driver in a motor vehicle by at least one control device and a data entry and display unit, the control device may access data of vehicle state-relevant sensors and of control devices and/or comfort control devices and/or internal or external databases.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for implementingthe method of actively assisting a motor vehicle driver in a motorvehicle.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Motor vehicles represent an overall system, which is becomingincreasingly complex and, on one hand, offers a motor vehicle drivermore and more comfort options and, on the other hand, is provided withan increasing number of safety-related systems. However, thesesafety-related systems must be monitored with regard to theirfunctionality. In the case of a defect or a condition that is criticalfor the vehicle, a motor vehicle driver often does not know how he orshe should react to such an error message indicated, for example, by alit-up LED. In addition, it is difficult for most motor vehicle driversto remember how to correctly operate all of the comfort systems, such asnavigation, engine-independent heating systems, air conditioning, seatadjusters, mirror adjusting systems, telephone, audio, etc. This resultsin a multitude of comfort options, which would otherwise be used, notbeing used at all. In addition, the existing displays only show themotor vehicle driver the actual states, such as “the tank is empty”,“inspection interval elapsed”, or “for safety reasons, television onlyduring standstill”.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a methodand a device for actively assisting a motor vehicle driver in a motorvehicle, which prevent the problems described above.

SUMMARY

To this end, the control unit and an input and display unitautomatically assist in the communication between the motor vehicledriver and the vehicle. In order to assist the motor vehicle driver, heor she is offered context—and/or preference-sensitive input options,which are automatically implemented after being selected by the motorvehicle driver.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, a control unitmonitors the conditions of the vehicle and displays these on a displayunit, together with possible actions. The action selected by the motorvehicle driver is then automatically executed by the device. If thecontrol unit detects, for example, that the engine temperature hasexceeded its permissible value, then this is automatically representedon the display unit. In addition, the possible actions such as “shut offengine”, “call nearest garage”, or “ignore” are represented on thedisplay unit. If the motor vehicle driver selects the action “shut offengine”, then the device automatically switches off the engine. If,however, the motor vehicle driver selects the action “call nearestgarage”, then the device uses the data of a navigation device to searchfor the next service station, and uses a car-phone system toautomatically dial the number of the service station. Therefore, themethod is not only used to display the critical conditions to the motorvehicle driver, but also to display the appropriate countermeasures,which are then actively supported, as well. To this end, the individualcountermeasures may be stored in a situation-specific manner in a memoryassigned to the control unit. Examples of other critical vehicleconditions include the engine-oil level.

The motor vehicle driver may also be actively assisted in the adjustmentof comfort components. For this purpose, the control unit is connectedto the corresponding comfort devices. After the motor vehicle driver hasmanually activated the method, the possible comfort systems areinitially represented on the display unit, from which the motor vehicledriver may then select the desired comfort components. In addition, itshould be noted that, in this case, manual activation is to beunderstood as the opposite of automatic activation and thereforeincludes activation by voice command, as well. After the motor vehicledriver has selected the desired comfort components, the display unitdisplays which changes may be made and how they may be performed. Inthis context, the display occurs in a context-sensitive manner, i.e.,only information relevant for the adjustments is displayed.

If the display unit is configured as a touch screen, then thecorresponding control elements may be ordered in a context-sensitivemanner and displayed on the display unit.

The motor vehicle driver may receive further, active assistance fromrecommendations such as eating, resting, refueling, parking, or spendingthe night. To this end, the motor vehicle driver manually activates themethod again and selects from a suggestion list the recommendations hewould like to receive. Access to the data of a navigation system allowsa list of possible suggestions to be compiled, driver preferencespossibly being considered. In the individual recommendations, the motorvehicle driver may have details displayed for him and, after selecting arecommendation, he may be navigated to what is recommended or make anorder, in which case the number may be automatically dialed.

The individual methods may also be combined, i.e., one maysimultaneously intervene in comfort components and vehicle-conditioncomponents. If, for example, the motor vehicle driver selects atelevision mounted in the vehicle, while driving, then the driver isinformed, on one hand, that this is not permissible while driving. Inaddition, the warning is immediately followed by an inquiry as towhether a possibility for parking may be sought after. If the motorvehicle driver answers this in the affirmative, then the system searchesfor the next parking possibility with the aid of a navigation system,and navigates the motor vehicle driver to it. Preparatory adjustments,such as the selection of a station, may already be checked and performedparallelly to navigating. If the motor vehicle was navigated to theparking spot, the motor vehicle driver is asked if the engine may beshut off, which may then be automatically executed by the system.

The present invention is explained below in detail, using an exampleembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a display on a display unit, after themethod has been activated.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a display on the display unit, after thedriver has input a request for recommendations.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a display of a hit list.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a detailed display of a hit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a display of the hits on a digital map.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a display of an automatically displayed,critical vehicle condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The method for actively assisting a motor vehicle driver in a motorvehicle is assigned an activation field 1, which may be arranged at thesame position on display unit 5, which takes the form of a touch screen.If this activation field 1 is activated, then a control unit changes thecurrent display on display unit 5 and generates a first input menu 6 ondisplay unit 5. This input menu 6 includes a marking indicating that themethod is activated, in which the name of the function, for example“BUTLER”, is made visible, the upper edge of input menu 6 also beingrounded off. Furthermore, input menu 6 includes three input fields 2, onwhich the selection options are alphanumerically displayed. In thiscontext, the user may select among the input options “recommendations”,“help”, and “repeat status message”, input fields 2 being configured astouch fields. Alternatively, or in addition, the input may beaccomplished by voice command and/or using a bidirectional, rotarypressure transducer, which, for example, is described in EuropeanPublished Patent Application No. 0 366 132. If input option 2 a,“recommendations”, is selected, the control unit generates a displayillustrated in FIG. 2.

In this case, input menu 6 illustrated in FIG. 1 has been moved up ondisplay unit 5. A menu 7 of the areas, for which the method may give theuser recommendations, in this case “eating”, “resting”, “refueling”,“parking”, and “lodging”, is then displayed under the input menu. Thefields of menu 7 are configured as touch fields, as are input fields 2.If the user now selects the field, “eating”, this field 7 a is displayedin color or in an optically highlighted manner. In addition, theselected field is assigned a touch-sensitive input field 8, “open”, bywhich detailed information is displayable. However, the user may changeto another field or another input option by touch, or discontinue themethod by touching “closing field” 3. After input field 8, “open”, istouched, the control unit generates a suggestion list 9, which isillustrated in FIG. 3. To generate this suggestion list 9, the controlunit accesses the database of a navigation system, in order to determinethe current position of the motor vehicle. Using this current positionas a starting point, the control unit searches through an internaland/or external restaurant database. In this context, the control unitselects restaurants located within a certain area around the currentposition, additional driver preferences, such as “no Japanese food”,being considered. If the user would like to obtain details on arestaurant, this restaurant is selected in suggestion list 9, andinserted field 10, “detail”, is activated. An example detailed displayis illustrated in FIG. 4. If desired, the user may have the menu readout by activating input field 11, “read out”. The activation of inputfield 4 automatically establishes a telephone connection to therestaurant, in order, for example, to reserve a table. But if the userwould like to receive data for navigating to the restaurant, then, byactivating input field 12, “navigation”, a digital map 13 having routeguidance is displayed on display unit 5 as illustrated in FIG. 5, and/orthe guidance system is activated.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a display of an automatically displayed warningmessage 14 for a critical condition of the vehicle. The exampleillustrated is the increased temperature of the engine oil. To this end,the control unit or sensory system responsible for the engine-oiltemperature transmits a warning message to the control unit controllingdisplay unit 5. As a result, the control unit generates a correspondingwarning message 14 and displays it on display unit 5 in an opticallyhighlighted manner. In order to perceive it in an improved manner, thewarning message may be emphasized in color and/or using additionalpictographs. Furthermore, additional acoustic and/or haptic warninginstructions are also possible. At the same time, the control unitactivates the method for active assistance, so that input menu 6 isautomatically displayed with assigned input fields 2. Possibilities foraction, such as how one may react to the represented, critical vehiclecondition, are offered to the driver on these input fields 2. In thiscase, the motor vehicle driver may select among the options “shut offengine”, “call garage”, or “ignore”. If the motor vehicle driver selectsinput field 2, “shut off engine”, then the control unit automaticallyswitches off the engine. In so doing, the event may be delayed in time,in order that the motor vehicle driver is able to shut off the motorvehicle at a suitable location. However, if the motor vehicle driverselects input field 2, “call garage”, then the control unitautomatically calls the nearest garage. When input field 2, “ignore”, isselected, warning message 14 is erased accordingly.

1. A method for actively assisting a motor vehicle driver in a motorvehicle using at least one control unit and an input and output unit,the control unit configured to access data of sensors and control unitsrelevant to a condition of the motor vehicle and to transmit controlcommands to the control units and devices configured for externalcommunication, comprising the steps of: detecting a critical vehiclecondition by the control unit by evaluating the data of the sensors andthe control units; generating a list of possible actions for the motorvehicle driver in response to the critical vehicle condition detected inthe detecting step; displaying the detected critical vehicle conditionand the list of possible actions of the motor vehicle driver on adisplay unit of the input and output unit; and executing an actionselected by the motor vehicle driver using the control unit.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the critical vehicle conditionincludes an engine temperature.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein the critical vehicle condition includes an engine-oil level. 4.The method according to claim 1, wherein the list of possible actionsincludes at least one of shutting off the engine, calling a garage, andignoring.
 5. A method for actively assisting a motor vehicle driver in amotor vehicle using at least one control unit and an input and outputunit, the control unit configured to access data of comfort controlunits and to transmit control commands to the comfort control units,comprising the steps of: manually activating the method by the motorvehicle driver; displaying an input prompt on a display unit of theinput and output unit relating to which comfort setting should bechanged; context-sensitive and preference-sensitive compiling of atleast one of operational settings and control elements relevant to theinput prompt on the display unit using the control unit; and executinginput control commands.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein thedisplay unit includes a touch-sensitive screen.
 7. A method for activelyassisting a motor vehicle driver in a motor vehicle using at least onecontrol unit and an input and output unit, the control unit configuredto access at least one of an internal database and an external database,comprising the steps of: manually activating the method by the motorvehicle driver; displaying a list of possible recommendations on adisplay unit of the input and output unit; executing a context-sensitiveand a preference-sensitive interrogation dialog to ascertain a drivercommand; displaying possible actions performable in response to theascertained driver command; and executing an action selected by themotor vehicle driver using the control unit.
 8. A device for activelyassisting a motor vehicle driver in a motor vehicle, comprising: atleast one control unit configured to evaluate detected conditionscritical to the motor vehicle; and an input and output unit configuredto detect and display conditions critical to the motor vehicle using thecontrol unit, to generate and display a list of possible actions of themotor vehicle driver in response to the detected conditions critical tothe motor vehicle as an input option with the condition critical to themotor vehicle; wherein the control unit is configured to perform aselected input option.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein thecontrol unit is connected to at least one other control unit of themotor vehicle by a CAN bus.
 10. The device according to claim 8, whereinthe display unit includes a touch screen.
 11. The device according toclaim 8, wherein the input and output unit includes an input device, theinput device including at least one of a voice-recognition unit and abidirectional, rotary pressure transducer.
 12. A device for activelyassisting a motor vehicle driver in a vehicle, comprising: at least onecontrol unit configured to acquire data of comfort control units and tocontrol the comfort control units; and an input and output unitincluding a display unit configured to display input prompts forselecting a comfort setting using the control unit, the display unitconfigured to display at least one of operational settings and controlelements relative to selected comfort settings in a context-sensitiveand preference-sensitive manner; wherein the control unit is configuredto execute input control commands for the at least one of theoperational settings and the control elements.
 13. The device accordingto claim 12, wherein the control unit is connected to at least one othercontrol unit of the motor vehicle by a CAN bus.
 14. The device accordingto claim 12, wherein the display unit includes a touch screen.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 12, wherein the input and output unit includesan input device, the input device including at least one of avoice-recognition unit and a bidirectional, rotary pressure transducer.